Weekend rain wasn't enough to have long-term impact on B.C. wildfire situation, say officials
The rain seen in some areas of B.C. over the weekend wasn’t enough to have a long-term impact on the fire situation in the province, say officials.
The news came during an update on Tuesday, as officials shared information on how they're dealing with a historic season.
“The rain received over the weekend has curbed the fire behaviour,” said Rob Schweitzer, director of fire centre operations, BC Wildfire Service.
“However, the amount of rain was not enough to make any long-term impact and we'll see returns to those extremely dry conditions.”
Cooler temperatures are in the forecast for later this week, but wind is possible, and thunderstorms may hover over B.C.'s wildfire zones.
But there’s some good news too, Schweitzer said, and it’s thanks to B.C. residents remaining diligent and cautious.
“The vast majority of new fire starts over the long weekend were due to natural causes,” he said.
“Of the very small handful of human caused wildfires, all have been declared ... under control, or they're being held.”
There are currently 259 fires burning in the province, and it's been hovering in that range for the past week. Thirty-four of those fires are categorized as “wildfires of note.”
Officials say that as of Tuesday there are more than 4,500 properties on evacuation order and more than 21,000 that are on evacuation alert.
B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry also spoke at Tuesday’s news conference and warned of the health impacts of wildfire smoke. Henry says to watch out for eye irritation, runny nose, sore throat, a mild cough, and a feeling of having phlegm in your throat.
“Wildfires can exacerbate some chronic conditions,” she said.
“Smoky air makes it harder for your lungs to get oxygen into your blood, and can cause irritation to the respiratory system, and also can lead to inflammation which can cause other symptoms.”
Wildfires have burned more than 5,500 square kilometres since April.
The impact of the fire is being noted hundreds of kilometres away. A blanket of smoke and haze has settled over much of the province, and air quality advisories are in place across B.C., including in Metro Vancouver.
Over the weekend, the massive White Rock Lake fire near Vernon grew even bigger, forcing more residents out of their homes.
The smoke from the fire is enough that it's impacting flights out of Kelowna as the fire's borders change.
Smoke is also posing serious health threats, and is creating more challenges for suppression efforts.
"Unfortunately this grounds our aircraft in many areas, really across the province," the BC Wildfire Service's Jean Strong said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10,000 Zantac lawsuits in U.S.: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.